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Posted March 17, 2014 05:21 pm - Updated March 17, 2014 11:32 pm

Letter: Do critics of Affordable Care Act have feasible alternative?

Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration has been vocal about its opposition to the Affordable Care Act. However, I have not heard what it does envision for health care. I have to believe it is satisfied with the past, bloated expensive system, which left the poor to use the emergency room as their primary care provider.

I don’t believe the Affordable Care Act is the final answer either, but it may be a start. It appears to be much more complicated than necessary and just an expansion of what we have had in the past. It offers the poor access to care through expanded Medicaid.

However, if a state such as Kansas chooses to opt out of Medicaid expansion, the poor are left out of health care. Presently, if you have limited or no income, there are no subsidies for payment of the premium because it was assumed these folks would be in the expanded Medicaid plans.

Again, the question is: What is Brownback’s plan?

Brownback has expressed interest in enhancing prison reform. Prisoners receive health care while incarcerated. However, once released, the majority have no way to obtain the medications they were being provided in prison.

It bears repeating that just being poor does not qualify a person for Medicaid in Kansas. It is reserved for mothers of dependents and children.

It would seem as an innovative society we could come to some criteria for a basic health system for all that would not be necessary for all levels of care.